The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) has determined that a cap exists on the number of counterarguments permitted in response to expert reports. This resolution is a recent occurrence in a trademark case initiated by Monster Energy. The energy drink behemoth is opposing a fitness equipment manufacturer’s attempt to register the term “Monster Lite”…
In light of recent developments, we examine the July 11 announcement by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The Office of the Chief Economist publicized the 2022 updates to its Trademark Case Files Dataset and Trademark Assignment Dataset. An evaluation of these updates shows an ongoing investment by the USPTO in improved transparency…
Michelle Cross, the self-termed “Legally Blonde Atlanta” DUI attorney, is now under fire from movie studio MGM for her usage of their copyrighted phrase. After receiving a cease and desist letter from the movie giant, Cross has decided to take down the related billboards, but she isn’t ready to give up her Instagram handle just…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) – an emerging technology that is reshaping many aspects of life including how we live, learn, and work – is taking news headlines by storm. AI broadly refers to content generated or produced by artificial intelligence systems. The market is currently being saturated by AI-driven chatbots such as Chat GPT, Google BARD,…
OpenAI, the notable research organization known for its pioneering work in artificial intelligence, has found itself caught in a legal battle over its distinctive name. The organization has launched a lawsuit against an individual who allegedly has been hindering its progress in registering ‘OpenAI’ as a trademark. The defendant stands accused of using a name…
An Illinois-based federal judge has permitted a solar panel distributor to proceed with a $1 million lawsuit against a well-known safety testing company. The dispute arises from delays that the solar distributor suffered due to the safety testing company’s certification trademarks. The prominent safety testing brand, which is noted for its certification trademarks, is accused…
Alt Legal, the cloud-based trademark docketing software company, has announced their fourth and most recent acquisition to be the docketing business and customers of TM Cloud, a competing provider of trademark and intellectual property docketing software. This acquisition sees Alt Legal expanding its customer base even more both domestically throughout the United States and across…
While rebranding announcements are often given a nod before we move on with our lives, Elon Musk’s decision to swap the iconic bird logo for an “X”, as Twitter’s new logo (the “X Logo”), has been quite the conversation starter. Industry giants, law firms, and the public have been engaged in discussions, analyzing the potential…
In a recent development, the director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has overturned a Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) decision that declined to re-evaluate a biotech firm’s patent pertaining to a hormonal disorder treatment. The reversal came on Friday, and it was a significant move by Andrei Iancu, the USPTO Director….
A trademark dispute that was stirring up the pet waste management industry in Washington has been peacefully resolved. The complaint, filed in Seattle’s federal court, has been withdrawn; the involved competitor has agreed to cease using the contested name “Scoop Troop”. This resolution brings an end to what could have been a protracted legal battle…
In a recent development, Argentina-based Cool Brands Supply SA has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against LIV Golf Inc. and HyFlyers GC. This high profile case has caught the attention of the legal industry, with a particular focus on the issues that a New Jersey district court may consider in the case. Renowned for its…
The director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has imposed penalties on a company challenging a key VLSI microchip patent, securing Intel a $2.2 billion jury verdict. The company under question is Patent Quality Assurance, which was brought before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. This punitive action has been taken due to what’s…
A longstanding disagreement concerning the celebrated “Fearless Girl” statue in New York City is set to be settled in court in April 2024. This dispute involves State Street Global Advisors Trust Co., a major asset management firm, and the sculptor behind the esteemed structure. The litigious contention has arisen over allegations of contract breach and…
In a recent turn of events, the Supreme Court of the United States has decided to once again explore the boundaries of free speech and private business branding. The case in question, Vidal v. Elster, Case 22-704, is an appeal from the Federal Circuit centering around the application to register the trademark “TRUMP TOO SMALL”…
Apple Inc. recently approached the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board with a plea to revise its attempt to register the “Apple Music” mark. This followed a loss suffered by the technology giant at the Federal Circuit. Notably, the request includes the removal of a section concerning live performances. The particular case at the Federal Circuit…
In a recent development, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit addressed contributory trademark infringement for the first time, determining that specific knowledge is needed for liability to be assumed. The case in question is Y.Y.G.M. SA, DBA Brandy Melville v. Redbubble, Inc., Case Nos. 21-56150; -56236 (9th Cir. July 24, 2023), presided…
In what may come as a surprise to many, Twitter, the popular social networking site, recently announced that it would be undergoing a rebranding. The CEO of Twitter, Elon Musk, disclosed last week that the platform would henceforth be known simply as “X”. This sudden shift provoked immediate and widespread confusion, with many users mistaking…
In its latest strategic move, cloud-based trademark docketing software company Alt Legal has stepped up its game with its fourth acquisition. The company has acquired customers and the docketing business of its competitor, TM Cloud. This acquisition enables Alt Legal to expand its customer base across the United States and globally, including regions such as…
On July 24, 2023, the US Patent & Trademark Office (PTO) announced some notable changes in its review procedures, specifically in the interim Director Review (DR) process and Appeals Review Panel (ARP) process. These changes mark the end of the Precedential Opinion Panel Process, which was previously in place. One significant update to the interim…
In recent legal developments, DarkOwl, a Denver-based dark web data service, and cybersecurity company has triumphed in a trademark dispute. The case against ArkOwl, a similarly named competitor, came to a conclusion when a federal magistrate judge in Colorado ruled that DarkOwl had not violated any of ArkOwl’s trademarks. Furthermore, the court validated DarkOwl’s own…